Today : world première of 'The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace' by Kamala Sankaram in Ithaca (NY)

Today, the Opera Ithaca presents the world première of The Infinite Energy of Ada Lovelace, an opera composed by Kamala Sankaram, with a libretto by Rob Handel. It is an extended version with orchestra of Enchantress, composed in 2014.

Kamala Sankaram already composed several works for the stage, including Miranda (New York, January 2012) and Thumbprint (New York, January 2014).

Ada Lovelace, the daughter of Lord Byron, must choose between her passionate marriage and the chance to collaborate with the eccentric mathematician Charles Babbage. (reproduced from the New Dramatists website)

The cast includes mezzo Courtney Elvira (Ada Lovelace), tenor Glenn Seven Allen (William King) and baritone Dennis Jesse (Charles Babbage). Mila Henry conducts the chamber ensemble (piano and string quartet). Susannah Berryman and Mary Corsaro direct.

The performance should last about 1 hour. The first part of the evening consists of a performance of Francesca Caccini's La Liberazione di Ruggiero dall'isola d'Alcina.

The venue is The Cherry Artspace in Ithaca (NY).

Today : world première of 'Taking Up Serpents' by Kamala Sankaram in Washington

Today, the Washington National Opera and the American Opera Initiative Festival present the world première of Taking Up Serpents, a new hour-long opera composed by Kamala Sankaram with a libretto by Jerre Dye.

Kamala Sankaram already composed several operas, including Miranda (a steampunk murder-mystery chamber opera, Here Arts Center, New York, 2012) and Formidable (Memphis, 2018).

25-year-old Kayla is the estranged daughter of a fire-and-brimstone preacher who is dangerously bitten by one of his own snakes. Kayla’s journey home forces her to confront her troubled upbringing. (reproduced from the composer's website)

The cast includes soprano Alexandria Shiner (Kayla), mezzo Eliza Bonet (Nelda) and bass Timothy J. Bruno (Daddy). Lidiya Yankovskaya conducts. Alison Moritz directs.

The venue is the Terrace Theater in the Kennedy Center.